Sharing the Good News might be understood as the prime directive of the Church from its earliest times, but the Church soon discovered unforeseen obstacles and its own set of temptations, including its lust for power and domination. Although the gospel might be joyfully offered, it was not always received in the same spirit. And the Church was not always gracious with dissent and criticism. Even so, it continues to reach out to the least, the last, and the lost--attempting to bring them into the family of God.

But for mission to be effective today, it must take advantage of...